CHAPTER 742 AN IRREPLACEABLE DISCIPLE

Apart from Marin, the other four girls were beauty queens, the most beautiful girls in the Holy Dragon

Empire. One was among the Three Great Generals, and another was the renowned witch. They were

very prominent figures. News of the General and the witch keeping vigil at Basil's coffin, besides the

other ladies, would shock the empire. With the perfect figures of an hourglass, the General and the

witch stood out, even among other beauties. They were the kind of flawless faces with picture-perfect

smiles that when they smiled, you couldn't help but smile along too, as if they'd had you hypnotized.

Sooner or later, their coming here would undoubtedly make headlines throughout the Holy Dragon

Empire.

At noon, the ceremony began.

The first person to offer incense was the emperor of the Holy Dragon Empire. He did not look his usual

self, dignified, and peaceful. Sadness showed all over his face. As he stared at the golden coffin, tears

welled in his eyes. Basil was his son—the only child with his deceased and beloved wife. Although

Basil had committed a treasonable offense, the emperor had already forgiven him, from deep at heart.

Had he not forgiven, after Basil was estranged, the emperor wouldn't have sent the Priest Dean to look holds © this.

for him. But unfortunately, before they could reconcile, Basil died.

After offering incense, the emperor turned around and looked at the people gathered. "For his loyalty to

the Holy Dragon Empire and his dying a heroic death, I declare Basil Prince Crimson. I also confer on

him the title of Great General," he announced with a heavy heart. Also, the emperor made Isis Princess

Crimson because she had married Basil.

The announcement caused a sudden stir at the solemn ceremony. Basil had made significant

contributions to the Holy Dragon Empire, even paying the ultimate price in the process. But the

emperor's announcement was unprecedented. Making his son Prince Crimson posthumously was

reasonable, but it was a bit unexpected to declare him Great General. If Basil were still alive, installing

him to the two titles would make him an heir apparent to the emperor. Even Alston would have to

accept the fact.

However, now that Basil was dead, the titles were meaningless. Under normal circumstances, the

emperor of the Holy Dragon Empire would not grant him such a reward.

After the announcement, the emperor walked back, knelt next to the golden casket, and touched it with

one shaky hand. Overcome by sorrow, he mumbled, "Honey, I'm sorry. I promised you to take care of

Basil. But I failed. Basil didn't let us down. His contribution to the Holy Dragon Empire is beyond

comparison. I wish he were still alive." As he mumbled, tears rolled down his cheeks. No one noticed

this, but he seemed to be so downcast.

"Your Majesty." Marcia, who was kneeling beside the emperor, knew what he was thinking. She knew

that although he looked austere, the emperor was a sentimental person. Basil had made such a

mistake deserving of harsh punishment. And yes, the emperor was very angry. But Basil was a son that

he loved deep down at heart. Eventually, it was Marcia's suggestion the emperor had followed in

sending Basil to the Gehenna Border. Secretly, he had planned to watch over the boy while in exile, but

for some reason, they lost contact.

When the crowd saw the emperor turning to look away from them, they wondered and whispered

among themselves.

The emperor of the Holy Dragon Empire was supposed to be the symbol of strength after all. And, of

course, he really was. Sensing that all eyes were on him, the emperor wiped off the tears with his

sleeve, took a deep breath, turned around to look at the crowd. And like a strong man, he gracefully

walked to the side.

After the emperor offered incense, members of the royal family followed. Taking turns, they came one

prince or princess at a time, beginning with Alston, the crown prince.

With a heavy face, Alston stepped forward and performed his part. But his was a superficial duty, going

through the paces without the slightest hint of respect for the late. Looking at the coffin in front of him,

he sneered silently. 'Stinking brat, I can't believe you just got honored posthumously. Not only have you

been installed as Prince Crimson, but also conferred the title of Great General. Both titles dished out to

you, by sheer luck. However, no matter how generously you get rewarded, you're a dead man. And

with you, those wishful thoughts you harbored about challenging me for the throne are buried six feet

under.' Alston was spiteful and vindictive to the very end.

After Alston finished doing whatever he did in the name paying his last respects to the departed, his

siblings followed. In order of their ages, they all paid homage. And just like Alston, their attitudes about

Basil were negative. They held such irrational hatred and anger against him that even in death, they

still loathed him. Such a detestable bum! How he had now suddenly become a hero was something

they hated to imagine. Not that Basil was any of those things they thought about him. Far from it! Now

in death, he was even more glorified and highly decorated, much to their chagrin.

Next, it was the turn of other royal members. Some of them were founding members or masters of the

Supernal Stage, and they created quite a grand scene with how they paid their last respects.

However, midway the ceremony, an unexpected black shadow flew over the imperial tomb, attracting

everyone's attention. The imperial spirit manipulators and the palace guards immediately took

positions, ready to swing into action, if need be.

As the figure descended, they realized it was a familiar elderly man. "My disciple, how could you die so

easily?" he cried out mid-air.

As soon as the old man landed, he immediately rushed towards the mourning hall.

Just as the imperial spirit manipulators and the palace guards were about to stop him, they heard a

shout, "Don't stop him! He is Sheridan."

Lance quickly recognized Sheridan, who had been missing for a while.

"Sheridan," Isis called out when she saw him rushing towards the mourning hall.

Yesterday, when Sheridan returned to Evian City, he heard about Rocky's betrayal. But he felt

something was wrong somewhere. So, immediately, he rushed back to the Imperial City. But to his

disappointment, he learned that Rocky had died. He was also shocked to learn that, in fact, Rocky was

Prince Basil. When they told him the mourning hall was set up in the imperial tomb, he rushed there.

"Isis, what happened? I left my disciple much alive and kicking. What happened to him? He couldn't

have died so abruptly unless something went terribly wrong." Sheridan cried like a child, overwhelmed

by the sudden loss.

The appearance of Sheridan and his exaggerated behavior surprised the people around him. After all,

he was a sturdy, famed beast tamer of the Wild Spirit Land. For many, he had been living in seclusion.

He lived his life without regrets, damn happy about freedom in the wild, far away from mere mortals.

The most recent thing anyone knew about him was that Rocky was his only disciple. And Sheridan

admitting anyone to be his disciple was a privilege that many would die for. Rocky must have been

highly gifted and lucky as well.

By now, the unrestrained way Sheridan mourned had already proven just how important Basil was to

him. How could the most respected beast tamer and beast curer of the Wild Spirit Land be so affected

by a mere disciple? For his matchless skill and rich modern knowledge, Rocky was irreplaceable.